Has anyone tried any of the newer Diabetes drugs that are supposed to help with weight loss ? My latest A1c was 8.2. The Dr wants me to start on Novolin. I have been taking Metformin and Glipizide. I am concerned about weight gain with the Novolin. Any suggestions ? I am a newbie.

Insulin can cause weight gain but it's usually not a problem if you follow a good diet. There are a couple of injected medication that do cause weight loss for most that use them. You might want to visit these two groups for more informationhttp://www.tudiabetes.org/group/byettausersforum

I am glad that you want to try to get better control. As a T2, the most effective thing I ever found was a low carb diet. I've also heard many opinions that the drugs in the sulfonylurea class (like glipizide) don't tend to work over the long term and may even make things worse. There is a good comparison of the different drugs on the market from Consumer Reports, and although it is a bit dated, I am always a little leery of the latest new drugs that haven't been properly tested.

And I second what Stemwinder said, many find the GLP-1 drugs like Byetta and Victoza work well. There is even a newer version that is a once a week injection called Bydureon.

But in truth, it is also ok to use insulin. With proper diet and exercise, it doesn't have to mean weight gain. I haven't gained weight in more than 2 years of insulin use. But if you start on insulin, it would be best to use a good regime. You need a basal insulin to keep your fasting blood sugar in control and a rapid insulin for meals. Novolin is an older insulin with limited availability. It is only available in a vial and is used with a syringe. Newer insulin's are available in convenient pen form and most people think they work better.

The Novolin he is prescribing is Novolin N Flexpen. A few years ago I was using Lantus and gained weight. I also had extreme lows. I did lower the dosage and it would still happen. I have spinal problems and for exercise I swim and walk. I have been on Metformin for about 14 years. I am beyond frustrated.

cinla8 I am in the same boat. I hurt myself playing sports and didn't listen to the doctors and now I am paying the price. I am legally handicapped now and even walking is very painful.

I went on lantus and byetta in 2009 and it made a big difference. I was at 496 when I switched and I am now at 300. It has not only occurred because of the byetta. The byetta just helps IF you eat right. Low carb does not work well for me and my BG control but I still limit my carb intake.

So try the byetta or one of that class of drugs and see how it works for you. I will tell you that stomach issues are not uncommon when you start taking byetta. But for me it only last a couple weeks and then left.

I am not trying to get into your personal care but is your doctor a family doctor or a diabetes specialist? For a T2 the byetta and the insulin work together. My control improved a lot with the byetta.

I would recommend an Endo if you are going to start insulin and who knows he might wish you to try a GLP-1 drug first. I started insulin with a internist and felt I wasn't getting enough information to be successful. I eventually learned what I need on my own but think it would have been much easier with the knowledge and support one can get from an Endo.

Brian is right, using insulin is ok, it doesn't mean you have failed, it means you're doing what's necessary to continue the fight. Insulin brings new challenges and needles but the needles become a non-issue after a while.

I am just confused. As far as I know, Novolin N only comes in vials, they discontinued the pens a couple years ago. If your doctor doesn't know that, that is not a good sign. I agree with others, it is probably time to see an endo.